Bhubaneswar, Dec. 4: The state government today announced a career advancement policy for gana sikshaks (para teachers) in the state based on their qualifications, seniority and training. It will come into effect from April 2014.

Making the announcement in Assembly today, school and mass education minister Rabi Narayan Nanda said some 22,724 para teachers would benefit from the policy, which would set the state exchequer back by Rs 123.07 crore.

Nanda said as part of the new policy, April 1, 2013, would be considered as the cut-off date for considering seniority.

A gana sikshak with a matriculation degree and having worked for at least six years would be counted as senior and would subsequently be eligible for a monthly salary of Rs 3,700. Those with a matriculation and a certified teacher degree would receive a salary of Rs 4,200 per month. Similarly, trained Plus Two and Plus Three passed gana sikshaks with seniority will get a monthly salary of Rs 5,200.

On the other hand, gana sikshaks, who have passed Plus Two or graduation along with required training, would be appointed as zilla parishad Group-II teachers and get Rs 7,000 per month. However, they must have worked for a minimum of six years or post training, for three years. Upon completion of three years as Group-II zilla parishad teachers, they would become regular zilla parishad teachers.

On November 30, the state government had announced a raise in the monthly salaries of siksha sahayaks and junior teachers by Rs 1,200 and Rs 2,500 per month, respectively. About 36,000 junior teachers and 34,044 sikhya sahayaks will benefit from the move.

Siksha sahayaks will get a salary of Rs 5,200 instead of Rs 4,000 per month. Similarly, the junior teachers will get Rs 7,000. The state would bear an additional burden of Rs 176.76 crore on account of the hike.